Coin discriminator formed of wire

ABSTRACT

A magnetic field holds a pivotally mounted arm in a first position whereby the pivotally mounted arm has means to receive coins of a specific diameter and thickness from a wire runway or track. If the coin is of the weight of the coins to be directed to the selected area, the arm pivots away from its receiving position to a position in which the coin is deposited in the selected area. A pivotally mounted retaining means, which has a different pivot axis than the arm, cooperates with the pivotally mounted arm to hold the coin, if it is of the desired weight, on the pivotally mounted arm until the coin is positioned by the arm for release to the selected area. At this time, The pivotally mounted retaining means has moved sufficiently relative to the pivotally mounted arm to cease to retain the coin on the pivotally mounted arm.

United States Patent Inventor Mitchell A. Hall Fort Thomas, Ky.

Appl. No. 836,792

Filed June 26, 1969 Patented July 13, 1971 Assignee Monarch Tool &Manufacturing Company Covington, Ky.

COIN DISCRIMINATOR FORMED OF WIRE 2,118,425 5/1938 Bibicos ACT: Amagnetic field holds a pivotally mounted arm in a first position wherebythe pivotally mounted arm has means to receive coins of a specificdiameter and thickness from a wire runway or track. If the coin is ofthe weight of the coins to be directed to the selected area, the armpivots away from its receiving position to a position in which the coinis deposited in the selected area. A pivotally mounted retaining means,which has a different pivot axis than the arm, cooperates with thepivotally mounted arm to hold the coin, if it is of the desired weight,on the pivotally mounted arm until the coin is positioned by the arm forrelease to the selected area. At this time, The pivotally mountedretaining means has moved sufficiently relative to the pivotally mountedarm to cease to retain the coin on the pivotally mounted arm.

PATENTEDJULHISYI 3 592 308 sum 1 or 4 INVENTOR MITCHELL A. HALL ATTOR EYPATENTEU JUL 1 3 19m 3 7 59? 3 O6 SHEET 2 UP a INVENTOR MITCHELL A. HALLPATENTEU JUL 1 3 I971 SHEET 3 [1F 1 MITCHELL A. HALL FIG-I2 I 5 AT YPATENTEnJuuaxsn $592,308

SHEET u. 0F 4 94 INVE/VT'OR MITCHELL A. HALL ATTORNE COIN DISCRIMINATORFORMED OF WIRE In a coin mechanism in which it is desired to advanceonly coins of a specific monetary value to a selected area, it isnecessary to ascertain that any received coin has the required diameterand thickness. This prevents coins of other monetary values or imperfectslugs, for example, from being advanced to the selected area. However,if a slug, for example, is formed of nonmagnetic material with theproper thickness and diameter, it could advance to a selected area in acoin mechanism in which the coins are selected only by diameter andthickness. Likewise, certain foreign coins may have the same diameterand thickness as a U.S. coin even though having a different monetaryvalue.

Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a coin discriminator inwhich only coins, which not only have the desired diameter and thicknessbut also have the weight of the coin of a specific monetary value, areadvanced to the selected area. Therefore, any coin or slug which doesnot meet the weight requirement irrespective of having the specificdiameter and thickness is not advanced by the coin discriminator of thepresent invention to a selected area.

The present invention employs a pivotally mounted arm held in a firstposition to receive any coins having the specific thickness and diameterof the coin of the specific monetary value that is to be selected. Ifthe weight of the received coin is that of a coin of the specificmonetary value to be selected, the pivotally mounted arm of the presentinvention is moved with the coin against the force of a magnetic fieldto a position in which the coin is deposited in a selected area.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the coin-discriminatoremploys magnetic detecting means to determine the metallic content ofthe coin before it advances along the track or runway sufiiciently to bereceived by the pivotally mounted arm. In this embodiment, the magneticdetecting means is located so that any coin directed to the selectedarea can cause the start of a desired timing cycle, for example. Thus,no determination of the metallic content of the coin is made after itreaches the selected area.

In this embodiment, the pivotally mounted arm also may be held in aposition in which no additional coins can cause movement of thepivotally mounted arm or be deposited into the selected area until atiming cycle has expired. Thus, this arrangement allows control of thetiming cycle by the coin discriminator.

Furthermore, the present invention forms the runway or track along whichthe coins roll or advance of wires rather than plates. As a result,there is no buildup of dirt along the track or runway so that the coinwill have the desired momenturn when it leaves the terminal end of thetrack or runway to enter a cradle or reception area of the pivotallymounted arm.

An object of this invention is to provide a coin discriminator thatallows only a coin of a specific weight to be moved to a selected area.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coin discriminator inwhich a second coin cannot be advanced to the selected area for apredetermined time period after a first coin has been advanced to theselected area for a predetermined time period after a first coin hasbeen advanced to the selected area.

A further object of this invention is to provide a coin discriminator inwhich all determinations as to the coin being of the specific monetaryvalue are completed when the coin reaches the selected area.

Other objects of this invention will be readily perceived from thefollowing description, claims, and drawings. The attached drawingsillustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the coin discriminator ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coin discriminator of FIG.1 with various elements removed from their support;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the-coin discriminator of FIG. 1 with acoin being inserted into the coin discriminator; I

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 3, showing the coin aboutto enter the orifice of the coin discriminator;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, ofa portion of the coindiscriminator of FIG. 4 showing the coin supported on the track andtaken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 4, showing the coinadvancing along the track or runway of the coin discriminator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 6, with the coin beingreceived in the pivotally mounted arm of the coin dis criminator;

' FIG. 8 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 7, but showing the coinbeing advanced to the selected area;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 7'ofthe coindiscriminator of FIG. 1 but showing a slug of less weight than theweight of the coin of the specific monetary value being received by thepivotally mounted arm;

. FIG. 10 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 9, but showing thecoin of FIG. 9 falling fromthe pivotally mounted arm into a rejectedarea;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the coindiscriminator of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the coin discriminator ofFIG. 1] with various elements removed from their support;

FIG. 13 is an-elevational view of the coin discriminator of FIG. 11 witha coin being inserted into the coin discriminator;

FIG. 14 isan elevational view, similar to FIG. 13, but showing the coinabout to enter the orifice of the coin discriminator;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the coinsupported on the track and taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view, similar'to FIG. 14, but showing the coinadvanced along the track or runway;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 16, and showing a coinof the desired specific weight being received by the pivotally mountedarm;

FIG. 18 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 17, but showing thepivotally mounted arm directing the coin into the selected area;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 13, in which a coin ornonmagnetic slug of less weight than the weight of the coin of thespecific monetary value is received by the coindiscriminator and itspath of movement to a rejected area;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 13, showing a metallicslug being received by the coin discriminator and its path to a rejectedarea; and

FIG. 21 is-a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line21-21of FIG. 20 to show the falling path of the slug. Referring to thedrawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a supporthousing 10 for the coin discriminator of the present invention. The coindiscriminator includes an inclined track or runway 12 which ismounted'on a wall 14 of the housingl0 by a screw 16.

The runway or tack 12 comprises a single continuous wire having a pairof substantially parallel portions 18- and 20 spaced from each othera'sufficient distance to allow only a coin of a specific diameter to besupported thereby as the coin rolls along a portion 22 of the 'wireforming the track 12. The diameterof the wire is selected so that theportion 22 supports only coins of the desired thickness. Coins, whichare of the specific diameter but too thick or too thin, will fall to oneside or the otherof the'portion 22 of the track of runway 12.

The wire, which forms the track or runway 12, has 'the upper endof theportion 18 formed with a downwardly depending loop portion 24. The screw16 passes through the loop portion 24 to fix the runway or.track 12 tothe wall 14 of the support housing 10.

The portion 18'has a pair of wires 26 and-28 fix'ed theretoandspacedfrom each other to form an area into which'a-coin maybe'deposited. The wire -28'has a portion =30 for'cooperation with theportion 22 of the track 12 to form an orifice for the track or runway12. This orifice prevents coins of-a larger diameter than desired fromentering the track or runway 12.

When'the coin falls into the area between the portions 26 and 28, itengages a part 29 of the portion 20 and a part 31 of the portion 22 ofthe track or runway 12. The parts 29 and 31 are secured to each otherand are free to vibrate with respect to the remainder of the wireforming the track 12. As a result, the speed of the coin upon itsentrance into the track 12 is controlled by this vibration so that thecoin becomes static before entering the track or runway 12. Accordingly,the speed with which the coin rolls or advances along the track orrunway 12 is regulated irrespective of the speed with which it isdropped into the coin discriminator ofthe present invention.

The parts 29 and 31 of the portions 20 and 22, respectively, aredisposed between the wires 26 and 28. Thus, this arrangement insuresthat the coin engages the parts 29 and 31 of the portions 20 and 22,respectively, to have its speed controlled before it enters the orifice.

The wall 14 of the support housing It) has a support bracket 32 fixedthereto by a screw 34. An arm 36, which is a single continuous wire, ispivotally mounted on the support bracket 32 by a pin 38, which has aportion of the arm 36 fixed thereto by suitable means such as soldering,for example. Ac cordingly, the arm 36 pivots about the axis of the pin38.

The arm 36 has a curved portion 40 extending in one direction from thepivot pin 38 and carrying a magnetic element 42 on its end. The arm 36has a portion 44 extending from the pivot pin 38 in the oppositedirection from the portion 40. The portions 40 and 44 are joined to eachother by the portion fixed to the pivot pin 38.

The arm 36 has a portion 46 extending upwardly from the portion 44. Thewire, which forms the arm 36, has a portion 48 extending substantiallyhorizontally from the upwardly extending portion 46 and cooperating withanother substantially horizontal portion 50 to form a cradle orreceptacle in the arm 36 within which a coin may be received from theterminal end of the inclined track or runway 12.

The arm 36 has a portion 52 extending downwardly from the horizontalportion 50. The arm 36 has a terminal portion 54 extending upwardly fromthe lower end of the portion 52.

A wire 56 is attached to the portions 46 and 52 of the arm 36. The wire56 is disposed beneath the horizontal portions 48 and 50 and in front ofthe upwardly extending terminal portion 54.

When a coin of the desired weight is received within the cradle formedbetween the horizontal portions 48 and 50 of the pivotally mounted arm36, the wire 56 cooperates with a pivotally mounted retaining member 58,which is a single continuous wire, to retain the coin on the arm 36during pivoting of the arm 36. The retaining member 58 is pivotallymounted on the support bracket 32 by a pivot pin 60 to which the member58 is fixed by suitable means such as soldering, for example.

The retaining member 58 has a loop portion 62 surrounding the terminalportion 54 of the pivot arm 36 in sliding relation thereto whereby theterminal portion 54 functions as a guide for the retaining member 58during pivoting of the arm 36. Accordingly, as the arm 36 pivotsclockwise about the pin 38, the retaining member 58 also pivotsclockwise and is moved relative to the wire 56 because of the differentpivot axis for the retaining member 58 in comparison with the pivot axisfor the arm 36 and the terminal portion 54 acting on the loop portion62- of the retaining member 58 whereby the distance between theretaining member 58 and the wire 56 eventually increases sufficiently torelease the coin from the pivotally mounted arm 36.

The arm 36 is normally held in the position shown in FIG. 3 by amagnetic element 64, which exerts a repelling force against the magnet42. The magnetic element 64 is mounted on a sidewall 66 of the supporthousing by a mounting wire 68.

The mounting wire 68 is preferably formed of spring steel;

magnetic element 42 may be adjusted. This arrangement permits the forcerequired to pivot the arm 36 clockwise to be variable. As a result, thepivotal arm 36 may be finely tuned to a specific desired weight so thatvery small discretions in the weight ofa coin may be discerned by thecoin discriminator of the present invention. As the magnetic element 64is moved closer to the magnetic element 42 in the position of FIG. 3,the force exerted on the arm 36 is increased whereby the coin must havea greater weight to pivot the arm 36 clockwise.

Considering the operation of the coin discriminator of the presentinvention, a coin 70, which is shown as a dime, of a specific weight,diameter, and thickness is deposited between the wires 26 and 28 asshown in FIG. 3. When the coin 70 falls to the phantom line position ofFIG. 3, it engages the attached parts 29 and 31 of the portions 20 and22, respectively, to cause vibration thereof whereby the speed of thecoin is appropriately controlled before it enters the orifice, which isbetween the portion 30 of the wire 28 and the portion 22 of the track12.

After the speed of the coin 70 has been controlled, it passes throughthe orifice and rides along the portion 22 of the track or runway I2.The coin 70 is supported by the vertically spaced portions 18 and 20 ofthe track or runway 12 as shown in FIG. 6.

When the coin 70 reaches the terminal end of the inclined track orrunway 12, it falls into the cradle or receptacte formed between thesubstantially horizontal cooperating portions 48 and 50 of the pivotallymounted arm 36. If the coin is of the specific weight that is to beadvanced to the selected area, its momentum is sufficient to overcomethe repellitlg force between the magnetic elements 42 and 64 to causeclockwise pivoting of the arm 36 about the axis of the pin 38. As shownin FIG. 7, the coin 70 is supported by the retaining member 58 and thecradle or receptacle, which is formed between the horizontal portions 48and S0 of the arm 36.

As the arm 36 pivots from the position of FIG. 7 to FIG. 8, theretaining member 58 is moved away from the wire 56 until the phantomline position of FIG. 8 is reached. At this time, there is sufficientspace between the retaining member 58 and the wire 56 to allow the coin70 to fall from the pivotally mounted arm 36 and be directed into achute 72, which defines the selected area. The coin 70 is then directedby the chute 72 to an area in which its metallic content is determinedby a magnet.

Upon release of the coin 70 from the pivotally mounted arm 36, theweight of the magnetic element 42 is suificient to causecounterclockwise pivoting of the arm 36 from the position of FIG. 8 backto the position of FIG. 3. The momentum of the arm 36 is sufficient thatthe magnetic element 42 will move past the magnetic element 64 and notbe repulsed by the magnetic element 64 prior to passing it.

It should be understood that the movement of the pivotally mounted arm36 from the position of FIG. 7 to the solid line position of FIG. 8 isaided by the repulsive magnetic force between the magnetic elements 42and 64 after the magnetic element 42 has been moved above the magneticelement 64 by the coin 70 being supported on the arm 36. Thus, therepulsive forces between the magnetic elements 42 and 64 not only serveto require a predetermined momentum by the coin so that only a coin ofthe specific weight can overcome this repelling force to cause clockwisepivoting of the arm 36 but this repelling force also functions to aid incausing clockwise pivoting of the arm 36 after the magnetic element 42has been moved about the magnetic element 64.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a slug 74 falling from the inclinedtrack or runway I2 into the cradle or receptacle defined by the portions48 and 50 of the pivotally mounted arm 36. However, because the weightof the slug 74 is less than the weight of the coin of the specificmonetary value, it will not overcome the repelling force between themagnetic elements 42 and 64 even though it will cause some slightmovement of the pivotally mounted arm 36 as indicated by the phantomline position. Since the repelling force between the magnetic elements42 and 64 is not overcome, the arm 36 cannot pivot so that the slug 74falls downwardly between the portions 44 and 52 of the arm 36 as shownin FIG. 10. This results in the slug 74 falling into a rejected area andnot entering the chute 72.

It should be understood that the slug 74 could only reach the positionshown in FIG. 9 if it were of the correct thickness and diameter. If itsdiameter were not correct, it would not be able to enter the track 12.lfits thickness were wrong, it would fall off of the track 12 and intothe rejected area.

Referring to FIGS. ll13, there is shown another form of the coindiscriminator of the present invention. The coin discriminator includesa support housing 80 having an inclined track or runway 82 supported ona sidewall 84 of the support housing 80. The track 82 includes an upperwire 88 extending from a bracket 90, which is secured to a sidewall 84of the support wall 80 by a screw 86 (see FIG. 12), and a pair of lowerwires 92 and 94, which also extend from the bracket 90. A coin has itsedge riding only on the wire 94 of the track 82 while it is supported bythe wires 88 and 92 of the track 82 during advancement of the coin alongthe track 82.

A thin flexible member 96 is wrapped around the wires 92 and 94 and hasportions 98 and 100 extending upwardly from a bottom portion that isfixed to the wires 92 and 94. The portions 98 and 100 form a funnel intowhich coins may be deposited for discerning whether they are of thecorrect diameter.

The portion 98 of the member 96 is limited in its movement away from theportion 100 by the wire 88 of the track 82 while the portion 100 islimited in its movement away from the portion 98 by a wire 102, whichalso is attached to the bracket 90. A wire 104, which also is carried bythe bracket 90, cooperates with the portions 98 and 100 of the member 96to limit the diameter of the coins that are allowed to enter the track82.

When a coin 106, which is a dime, having the specific weight, diameter,and thickness that is to be directed to a selected area, is insertedbetween the portions 98 and 100 of the member 96, the coin 106 engagesagainst the lower wires 92 and 94, which are free to vibrate throughtheir mounting on the bracket 90. As a result, the coin 106 becomesstatic before entering the track 82 so that the speed with which thecoin 106 rolls along the track 82 is controlled.

An arm 108 is pivotally mounted on a support block 110 through having aportion of the arm 108, which is a wire, bent to extend through thesupport block 110. The arm 108 is a single continuous wire.

The support block 110 is attached by a screw 112 (see FIG. 12) to a wall114 of the support housing 80. The screw 112 cooperates with a spacer116 of the support block 110 to dispose the pivotally mounted arm 108 ina desired position relative to the track 82. The arm 108 includes a pairof por tions 118 and 120 cooperating with each other to form a cradle orreceptacle into which the coin 106 on the track 82 may fall when thecoin 106 leaves the terminal end of the track 82. A magnetic element 122is mounted on the arm 108 at the junction ofthe portions 118 and 120.

The wires 92 and 94 have their free ends spaced from each other as shownin FIGS. 11 and .12. This allows the portions 118 and 120 of the arm 108to fit therebetween to receive the coin 106 as it falls off the free endof the wire 94 of the track 82.

A retaining member 124, which cooperates with the portions 118 and 120to retain the coin 106 on the pivotally mounted arm 108 duringcounterclockwise pivoting of the arm 108 when the coin is of thespecific monetary value, is pivotally mounted on the support block 110above the pivot axis of the arm 108. The retaining member 124, which isa single continuous wire, has a loop portion 126 slidably mounted on aterminal guide portion 128 of the arm 108. Thus, when the arm 108 pivotscounterclockwise, the engagement of the portion 128 with the loopportion 126 of the retaining member 124 causes the retaining member 124to also pivot counter clockwise in such a manner that a retainingportion 130 of the retaining member 124 is moved away from the portions118 and 120 of the arm 108 to allow the coin 106 to cease to besupported by the arm 108 and to be directed into a selected area.

The pivotally mounted arm 108 is urged clockwise due to an attractivemagnetic element 132, which is supported by a resilient wire 134. Thewire 134 is adjustably mounted on the sidewall 136 of the supporthousing to position the pivotally mounted arm 108 to receive the coin106 when it leaves the terminal end of the inclined track or runway 82.

The sidewall 136 of the support housing 80 has a magnetic element 138,which is repulsive to the magnetic element 122 on the arm 108,adjustably mounted thereon by means of a resilient wire 140. By properlypositioning the magnetic element 138, the force that must be overcome bythe coin 106 when it falls onto the arm 108 is adjustable.

In addition toovercoming the force exerted by the repulsive forcebetween the magnetic elements 122 and 138, the coin 106 also mustovercome the effective force exerted by a weight 139 on the portions 141and 142 of the arm 108. The weight 139 isadjustably mounted on theportions 141 and 142 of the arm 108 to provide additional tuning of thearm 108 to the weight of the coin of the specific monetary value.

Thus, if a slug of the same diameter and thickness but lighter weightwere to be received by the coin discriminator of the present invention,it would not be capable of overcoming the repulsive force between themagnetic elements 122 and 138 and the effective force of the weight 139to cause counterclockwise pivoting of the arm 108.

Considering the operation of this embodiment of the coin discriminator,the coin 106 is shown in FIG. 13 deposited within the funnel formedbetween the portions 98 and of the flexible member 96. When the coindrops to the bottom of the funnel, it engages the wires 92 and 94whereby the speed of the coin 106 is regulated prior to its entering thetrack 12. As shown in H6. 15, the edge of the coin 106 rests on the wire94 and has its surface rolling against the wire 92. As shown in FlGS. 14and 16, the coin 106 has its surface, which is engaging the wire 92,also engaging the wire 88.

As the coin 106 moves along the track 82 as shown in FIG. 16, it picksup sufficient momentum because of being of the weight of the coin-of thespecific monetary value so that when it enters the cradle or receptaclebetween the portions 118' and of the arm 108, it exerts a sufficientforce on the pivotally mounted arm 108 to overcome the repulsive forcebetween the magnetic elements 122 and 138 and the effective force of theweight 139. This results in the arm 108 pivoting counterclockwise fromthe solid line position of P10. 17 to the solid line position of FlG.18.

As the arm 108 pivots counterclockwise from the position of FIG. 17 tothe position of FIG. 18, the retaining member 124 also is pivotedcounterclockwise due to the loop portion 126 riding along the terminalportion 128 of the arm 108. This pivoting of the retaining member 124pulls the retaining portion of the retaining member 124 away from thecradle or receptacle of the arm 108 so that the coin 106 may falltherefrom as shown in phantom in FIG. 18.

The coin 106 drops through a slot 143 in an element 144, which iscarried bythe wall 114 of the support housing 80. The element144 ispreferably formed of a nonmetallic material so that an attractingmagnetic element 146 for the magnetic element 122 may be supportedthereby to hold the pivotally mounted arm 108 in the position of FIG. 18until a timing cycle, which is started by the coin 106 falling throughthe slot 143, is completed.

When the cycle has been completed, a solenoid (not shown), which couldbe mounted on the support block 110, could engage one of the portions141 and 142 of the pivotally mounted arm 108 to return it to thepositionofFlG. 13. This prevents another coin'from being received by thearm 108 until the timing cycle is completed.

If desired, the attractive magnetic element 146 could be eliminatedwhereby the arm 108 would be returned to the position of FIG. 13 as soonas the coin 106 is released from the arm 108 for deposit in the slot143. In this arrangement, the weight 139 would be effective to returnthe arm 108 to the position of FIG. 13 so that no solenoid would berequired. Of course, this arrangement would allow the arm I08 to receiveanother coin immediately. Thus, without the attractive magnetic element146, this embodiment operates in the same manner as the coindiscriminator of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 19, there is shown a coin 148 being received by thecoin discriminator in which the coin 148 is not of the specific desiredweight. The coin 148 also could be a nonmagnetic slug, for example, ofless weight than the coin to be selected.

Accordingly, when the coin 148 of less than the specific weight entersthe track 82, its momentum due to its lower weight is not sufficient toovercome the repelling force between the magnets I22 and 138 whereby thecoin falls off of the retaining portion 130 of the retaining member I24and takes the path indicated by the various phantom positions of thecoin in FIG. 19. Thus, the coin I48 falls to the right of the element144 whereby the coin is directed to the rejected area. Furthermore,since the arm I08 does not pivot, the coin discriminator is capable ofimmediately receiving another coin having the desired specific weight,specific diameter, and specific thickness of the coin to be selected.

The coin discriminator also has a magnetic detecting element 150 mountedon a wire 152, which is supported by the support block 110. The wire 152has a spacer sleeve 154 mounted thereon to position the magnetic elementI50 ad jacent the track 82. The upper end of the wire 152 is arcuate soas to be supported on the wire 102.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. and 21, when a slug 156, which would havethe desired specific weight, specific thickness, and specific diameterof the coin that the coin discriminator would normally direct to theselected area, enters the track 82, the magnetic attraction between themagnetic element 150 and the material of the slug I56 pulls the slug 156off of the wire 94 so that the slug I56 falls into the rejected area asindicated by the phantom line position ofthe slug 156 in FIG. 20.

Since the coin 106 can start a timing cycle upon entering the slot 143,the magnetic detecting element I150 eliminates the possibility of anyslug entering the slot I43. Thus, the coin discriminator of FIG. 11 canbe employed to start a timing cycle upon receipt ofa coin in the slot143.

Accordingly, with the coin discriminator utilizing the pivotally mountedarm 108, only coins having the desired specific weight, specificdiameter, and specific thickness can reach the slot 143 in the elementI44. Furthermore, any slug having the same diameter, thickness, andweight as the coin to be selected is prevented from reaching theselected area because of the magnetic detecting element 150Additionally, any coin not having the desired weight or any nonmetallicslug not having the desired weight such as a slug made of plastic, forexample, is incapable of causing pivoting of the pivotally mounted arm108. As a result, a coin or slug of less than specific weight isdirected to the rejected area.

Instead of having the timing cycle started by the coin I06 entering theslot 143 in the element 144, the coin discriminator could have thetiming cycle started by one of the portions 141 and 142 of the arm 108engaging a timer switch (not shown) on the support block 110. The forcecreated by the magnetic element 146 attracting the magnetic element 122on the arm 108 would insure that the portion 141 or 142 of the arm 108makes positive contact with the timer switch.

It should be understood that the coin discriminators of the presentinvention are capable of only selecting a coin of one specific monetaryvalue. While the coin has been shown as being a dime to be selected bythe coin discriminators, it should be understood that the coindiscriminators could be designed to selected any other coin of aspecific monetary value. It would be necessary to utilize a differentorifice and track to support coins of different diameter and thickness.Furthermore, the magnetic elements and the adjustable weight 139 wouldhave to be differently positioned in accordance with the weight ofthecoin.

An advantage of this invention is that it does not permit a slug of thesame diameter and thickness as the coin to be selected to pass to theselected area. Another advantage of this invention is that it is capableof being adjusted within very fine limits as to the weight ofthe coin tobe selected.

I claim:

I. A coin discriminator for directing a coin having a predeterminedvalue and having a specific weight andspecific diameter and thickness toa selected area comprising:

track means formed of wire and having means to receive a coin formovement thcrealong from one end toward the other end under its ownmomentum;

said track means including means to allow only a coin of a specificdiameter and thickness to advance from one end of said track means tothe other end of said track means; and

weight responsive means disposed adjacent the other end of said trackmeans to receive from said track means any coin reaching the other endof said track means, said weight responsive means advancing said coin tothe selected area only when the coin received from said track means isof the specific weight and causing said coin to move to a rejected areawhen said coin is not of the specific weight.

2. The coin discriminator according to claim I wherein said weightresponsive means comprises movable means, means exerting a predeterminedforce on said movable means to maintain said movable means in a firstposition; said movable means being movable from the first position to asecond position in which the coin is removed from said movable means tothe selected area only when the coin received from said track means isof the specific weight; and said exerting means preventing said movablemeans from being movable to the second position when the coin receivedfrom said track means is not of the specific weight whereby the coinmoves from said movable means to a rejected area.

3. The coin discriminator according to claim 2 in which said movablemeans is pivotally mounted.

4. The coin discriminator according to claim 2 in which thepredetermined force of said exerting means is variable in accordancewith the desired specific weight ofthe coin.

5. The coin discriminator according to claim 3 in which thepredetermined force of said exerting means is variable in accordancewith the desired specific weight of the coin.

6. The coin discriminator according to claim 2 in which said forceexerting means comprises magnetic repulsion means.

7. The coin discriminator according to claim 6 in which the force ofsaid magnetic repulsion means is variable in accordance with the desiredspecific weight of the coin.

8. The coin discriminator according to claim 7 in which:

said movable means is pivotally mounted;

and said exerting means includes adjustable weight means mounted on saidmovable means.

9. The coin discriminator according to claim I in which said track meansis formed ofa single wire.

10. The coin discriminator according to claim 2 including:

means to hold said movable means in the second position after saidmovable means is moved to the second position due to reception by saidmovable means of a coin of the specific weight;

and means to return said movable means to the first position after apredetermined period of time.

117 The coin discriminator according to claim 2 in which:

said movable means has means cooperating therewith to retain the coin onsaid movable means during movement of said movable means from the firstposition to the second position;

and said retaining means releases the coin when said movable means hasmoved to the second position to direct the coin to the selected area.

12. The coin discriminator according to claim 11 in which said retainingmeans is movable relative to said movable means during movement of saidmovable means from the first position to the second position, saidretaining means being movable in response to movement of said movablemeans from the first position to the second position.

13. The coin discriminator according to claim 11 in which:

said movable means is pivotally mounted on a first axis;

and said retaining means is pivotally mounted on a second axis.

14. The coin discriminator according to claim 1 including means toremove any metallic slug of the specific diameter and thickness fromsaid track means before the slug reaches the other end of said trackmeans.

15. The coin discriminator according to claim 6 in which said magneticrepulsion meansaids in moving said movable means from the first positionto the second position when a coin of the specific weight is received bysaid movable means after said movable means has been moved sufficientlyto overcome the initial force of said magnetic repulsion means.

16. The coin discriminator according to claim 2 in which:

said movable means has a magnet mounted thereon;

said force exerting means includes a repulsion magnet cooperating withsaid magnet mounted on said movable means;

and an attracting magnet for said magnet mounted on said movable meansis disposed to cooperate with said magnet mounted on said movable meansto position said movable means in the first position.

17. The coin discriminator according to claim 2 in which:

said track means is inclined;

and said movable means is disposed beneath said track means.

18. The coin discriminator according to claim 16 in which:

a second attracting magnet is disposed to cooperate with said magnetmounted on said movable means to hold said movable means in the secondposition after said movable means is moved to the second position due toreception by said movable means ofa coin of the specific weight;

and means to return said movable means to the first position after apredetermined period of time.

1. A coin discriminator for directing a coin having a predeterminedvalue and having a specific weight and specific diameter and thicknessto a selected area comprising: track means formed of wire and havingmeans to receive a coin for movement therealong from one end toward theother end under its own momentum; said track means including means toallow only a coin of a specific diameter and thickness to advance fromone end of said track means to the other end of said track means; andweight responsive means disposed adjacent the other end of said trackmeans to receive from said track means any coin reaching the other endof said track means, said weight responsive means advancing said coin tothe selected area only when the coin received from said track means isof the specific weight and causing said coin to move to a rejected areawhen said coin is not of the specific weight.
 2. The coin discriminatoraccording to claim 1 wherein said weight responsive means comprisesmovable means, means exerting a prEdetermined force on said movablemeans to maintain said movable means in a first position; said movablemeans being movable from the first position to a second position inwhich the coin is removed from said movable means to the selected areaonly when the coin received from said track means is of the specificweight; and said exerting means preventing said movable means from beingmovable to the second position when the coin received from said trackmeans is not of the specific weight whereby the coin moves from saidmovable means to a rejected area.
 3. The coin discriminator according toclaim 2 in which said movable means is pivotally mounted.
 4. The coindiscriminator according to claim 2 in which the predetermined force ofsaid exerting means is variable in accordance with the desired specificweight of the coin.
 5. The coin discriminator according to claim 3 inwhich the predetermined force of said exerting means is variable inaccordance with the desired specific weight of the coin.
 6. The coindiscriminator according to claim 2 in which said force exerting meanscomprises magnetic repulsion means.
 7. The coin discriminator accordingto claim 6 in which the force of said magnetic repulsion means isvariable in accordance with the desired specific weight of the coin. 8.The coin discriminator according to claim 7 in which: said movable meansis pivotally mounted; and said exerting means includes adjustable weightmeans mounted on said movable means.
 9. The coin discriminator accordingto claim 1 in which said track means is formed of a single wire.
 10. Thecoin discriminator according to claim 2 including: means to hold saidmovable means in the second position after said movable means is movedto the second position due to reception by said movable means of a coinof the specific weight; and means to return said movable means to thefirst position after a predetermined period of time.
 11. The coindiscriminator according to claim 2 in which: said movable means hasmeans cooperating therewith to retain the coin on said movable meansduring movement of said movable means from the first position to thesecond position; and said retaining means releases the coin when saidmovable means has moved to the second position to direct the coin to theselected area.
 12. The coin discriminator according to claim 11 in whichsaid retaining means is movable relative to said movable means duringmovement of said movable means from the first position to the secondposition, said retaining means being movable in response to movement ofsaid movable means from the first position to the second position. 13.The coin discriminator according to claim 11 in which: said movablemeans is pivotally mounted on a first axis; and said retaining means ispivotally mounted on a second axis.
 14. The coin discriminator accordingto claim 1 including means to remove any metallic slug of the specificdiameter and thickness from said track means before the slug reaches theother end of said track means.
 15. The coin discriminator according toclaim 6 in which said magnetic repulsion means aids in moving saidmovable means from the first position to the second position when a coinof the specific weight is received by said movable means after saidmovable means has been moved sufficiently to overcome the initial forceof said magnetic repulsion means.
 16. The coin discriminator accordingto claim 2 in which: said movable means has a magnet mounted thereon;said force exerting means includes a repulsion magnet cooperating withsaid magnet mounted on said movable means; and an attracting magnet forsaid magnet mounted on said movable means is disposed to cooperate withsaid magnet mounted on said movable means to position said movable meansin the first position.
 17. The coin discriminator according to claim 2in which: said track means is inclined; and said movable means isdisposed beneatH said track means.
 18. The coin discriminator accordingto claim 16 in which: a second attracting magnet is disposed tocooperate with said magnet mounted on said movable means to hold saidmovable means in the second position after said movable means is movedto the second position due to reception by said movable means of a coinof the specific weight; and means to return said movable means to thefirst position after a predetermined period of time.